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29 Nov 2011

Somalia born CPIT student Faduma Mohamed is excited to be at the end of her Bachelor of Nursing, sitting her State Exams 2 weeks ago. She is now eagerly awaiting the results to confirm her dream position in the Medical Surgical Unit at Princess Margaret Hospital. “I am ready to be a real nurse,” she says.

Faduma’s CPIT Degree has opened up a whole new world for her. She began her journey as a young woman who didn’t know what she wanted to do. “I wanted to work with people but I didn’t know in what capacity,” she says.

It wasn’t until she came upon the CPIT stand at a careers expo three years ago that she decided nursing was for her. “I was so enthused by the positive attitudes of the tutors on the stand. They were so passionate about what they did and the people they cared for. I decided to sign up then and there,” Faduma says.

Faduma knew she was on the right career path when she was successful in obtaining a Canterbury Bright Start Scholarship towards her first year tuition fees. “The scholarship gave me confidence and a head start on my studies. I had to gather references from people that demonstrated nursing was the right pathway for me. It was very positive reading what people had to say about me,” she says.

Faduma’s first year of study at CPIT further cemented her desire to be a nurse. She enjoyed the practical elements that built on the theory she learned in classes. The skills day at the end of the year gave her an opportunity to demonstrate the skills she had learned on real patients. “It really started to click for me then. It was exciting to learn something and then go out and really do it,” she says.

In her second year Faduma was sent on a mental health placement to work with patients under the age of nine. The placement was a real eye opener and still stands out as one of Faduma’s favourite learning experiences throughout her Bachelor Degree. “Before the mental health placement I really had no idea that such young children are dealing with complex mental health problems on a daily basis. I gained an understanding for people who struggle with mental health difficulties and now have a more open mind,” she says.

In her final year Faduma discovered a passion for Cardiology, an area which she is aiming to enter when she is a more experienced nurse. “The heart to me is the most amazing part of the body. We depend on it. The cardio patients come in extremely sick and recovery is a slow process. Simple things like breathing on their own and walking are difficult. Seeing those patients leave the hospital was very fulfilling,” she says.

At the end of her final year all of her study Faduma is excited about her prospects. “Nursing can take me anywhere in the world. I love the variety and most of all I love the people. I do it for them. Their thanks makes all that I do worth while,” she says. “I was meant to be a nurse.”